Volvo Commits Support to Major Emerging Talent Showcase
SEATTLE, November 4, 2009 - Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) has announced it will once again partner with NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) - this time as both a Premier Sponsor and as Exclusive Presenting Sponsor of the Opening Night Gala. This is VCNA's third consecutive year of sponsoring NFFTY, with each year resulting in benefits for Volvo and NFFTY.
On display during the festival will be a number of new Volvo vehicles, including the new 2010 XC60 premium crossover with standard City Safety, the re-designed 2011 C30 sport coupe, and the stunningly re-designed 2011 C70 retractable hardtop convertible.
"Volvo is delighted to once again be part of the NFFTY event," said Gregor Hembrough, VCNA Sales and Marketing Manager. "The festival continues to grow, drawing eyes to some of the most talented young filmmakers in the country." NFFTY represents a tremendous opportunity to expose the Volvo brand to a young, vibrant market set who might not consider the Swedish automaker as a purchase consideration.
Volvo has been a sponsor of NFFTY for three years and 2010 sees Volvo's greatest contribution to the festival since its inception three years ago. "Through our continued sponsorships it has become evident that the values and mission behind NFTTY has strong parallels to our own," noted Hembrough.
NFFTY came to the attention of Volvo after its founder and Executive Director, Jesse Harris, entered a Los Angeles based commercial promotion. The appeal and imagery of Harris' work captured Volvo's imagination and interest in supporting talented young filmmakers. NFFTY and Volvo also have something else in common. In addition to the three-day film showcase, the NFFTY Earth campaign is taking major strides to reduce the industry's carbon footprint on the earth. In addition to producing NFFTY as a carbon neutral festival, there is special recognition for productions with environmental and social messages that creates further awareness of our global responsibility.
"NFFTY is more than a film festival; it's an entire youth and art movement," Hembrough said. "Volvo is more than a car company. Not only is protecting our passengers our top priority, but we are also committed to protecting the environment and the ones who live in it."
NFFTY, in its fourth year, will feature over 100+ films produced by young people from across the country. NFFTY will also feature filmmaking panels, workshops, music and other events all dedicated to the advancement of young artists and their work. The festival will be held April 29 - May 2 at Seattle Cinerama and the Seattle Center. Volvo will be a Premier Sponsor of the 2010 festival as well as the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor of Opening Night.
"We are thrilled that Volvo and the other NFFTY sponsors have recognized the importance of supporting tomorrow's filmmakers," said Jesse Harris, Executive Director of the festival. "Volvo is an especially cherished partner of the festival, both because it was one of our first partners, and because of the company's reputation as an environmental steward and engine of change."
About Volvo Cars
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA), based in Rockleigh, NJ, is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation of Göteborg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada. To learn more visit http://www.volvocars.us/.
About NFFTY
NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) was formed in 2007 and is the largest youth film festival in the country. NFFTY (pronounced "nifty") supports the work of young filmmakers 22 and younger. NFFTY's parent organization is The Talented Youth, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. To learn more, visit http://www.nffty.org/.
